The Lok Sabha Elections in Bihar 2024 are often termed the ‘biggest democratic exercise’ in the world. This tagline is not exaggerated, as nowhere else would you see over a billion people voting to elect a government for five years. Some top leaders have even called these elections a ‘democratic festival’ — again, an appropriate comparison.
As the political landscape of Bihar, one of India’s central states, is quite dynamic, it is critical for the stakeholders, such as the existing government and political aspirants, to evaluate and understand the voter sentiments. Even though the tools and technologies to collect data and evaluate such information have transformed radically in the past decade, the critical importance of door-to-door surveys remains. One of the key aspects of this form of data collection is overall personalization, which helps capture the real concerns and expectations of the masses.
This blog considers how these surveys play a critical role in shaping strategies for political parties and future political alignment in Bihar.
The Importance of Door-to-Door Political Survey in Bihar Elections
Indian political landscape is quite diverse and different from other parts of the world. As there is a significant level of diversity even in a small region, these surveys are critical in understanding common and specific challenges faced by people of an area. These surveys are critical for their ability to gather data and their qualitative depth, often missing in other polling forms. Personal communication with people helps in knowing their daily religious, communal, and other daily challenges.
There are multiple benefits of this approach. First, a campaigner can build trust and rapport with the common public. Second, it helps collect detailed feedback on different topics, from local governance and infrastructure needs to broader national policies. This personalized approach gives a greater engagement level between the campaigners and the public in general.
Methodology of Surveys Conducted for Lok Sabha Elections in Bihar 2024
Conducting surveys is always challenging, as primary data collection is one of the most difficult ways of collecting information from participants. With a total population of close to 3 crore people, Bihar has a diverse population. Flawless planning was the most critical aspect of this process.
Various teams of trained surveyors visited households across diverse geographical locations, from the bustling urban centers of Raipur and Bilaspur to the remote rural villages in Bastar and Surguja. This comprehensive approach ensured representation from various demographic groups, including different age brackets, genders, economic statuses, and ethnic backgrounds.
Data collection was carried out through questionnaires. However, the process also included the collection of open-ended responses so that more personal insights could be collected. Hence, the quantitative and qualitative response collection blend helped focus on widespread concerns and localized issues.
Key Findings from the Door-to-Door Political Survey in Bihar Elections
There are a number of factors that were unearthed during the completion of these surveys in different parts of the state. As underlined by the voters, two of the most critical factors include governance and infrastructure development, two factors that have been affecting the local population for a long time. Other critical issues underlined by potential voters include improved healthcare, education facilities, and road connectivity.
Surprisingly, a significant level of awareness was found among the younger population in respect of both domestic and national challenges. People in urban regions expressed interest in critical areas such as sustainable development, IT, and the latest technology development. People also asked questions about the effectiveness of the existing welfare programs. Hence, the political parties need to take care of a wide range of areas both from a national and state perspective.
Impact of Survey Findings on Campaign Strategies
The impact of these surveys on the campaign strategies will be primarily positive, as the parties will have important data that will help them adjust and tailor their campaigns effectively. The Lok Sabha elections are not just meant to address the local issues and challenges but also underline how the long-term strategies of the central government would impact the country and the region.
By addressing the concerns and expectations outlined by voters in these surveys, political parties can enhance their relevance and appeal to a broader electorate, potentially influencing voter turnout and preferences in the upcoming elections.
Summing up
To sum up, even though the usage of the latest technologies to collect information and data from prospective voters has increased rapidly in Lok Sabha elections, there is no doubt that door-to-door surveys play a crucial role. They help in understanding the views and aspirations of the electorate in a region, which can be used to inform election manifestos.
